Pope Benedict invited to attend concert at Lorenzago di Cadore

Rome, Italy, Jul 11, 2007 / 10:54 am (CNA).- On the second day of his vacation in the town of Lorenzago di Cadore in northern Italy, Pope Benedict XVI received an invitation from Bishop Giuseppe Andrich of Belluno-Feltre to attend a classical music concert which will feature an organ that dates to 1790.

The local pastor in Lorenzago, Father Sergio De Martino, told Vatican Radio, “We are very hopeful the Pope will attend the concert because it will take place on the feast of St. Benedict and because the Pope is a fan of music. But this is just our hope. We won’t be discouraged if he doesn’t attend, but if he does, it will be a great joy.”

Father De Martino said the concert would feature music by Bach and Scarlatti and that the Schola Cantorum of his parish in Lorenzago will perform.

He said that in his simplicity, the Pope teaches with great depth and speaks to man’s conscience. “His message is a gift, his word is a gift. People are seeing that this is his great treasure. I think he is just the man God wanted,” the priest said.